Nicola Sturgeon arrested in reference to SNP funds investigation
F
ormer first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has been arrested as a part of the police investigation into the SNP’s funds.
Police Scotland stated she is in custody and is being questioned by detectives.
The pressure stated: “A 52-year-old woman has today, Sunday, June 11, been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.”
The former first minister’s arrest comes after her husband Peter Murrell was arrested in April. Mr Murrell and MSP Colin Beattie, who was SNP treasurer on the time, had been each launched with out cost pending additional inquiry.
As properly because the arrests, searches had been carried out at plenty of properties, together with Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon’s residence – the place a police tent was erected within the backyard – and SNP headquarters in Edinburgh.
A luxurious motorhome was additionally seized by police from exterior the house of Mr Murrell’s mom in Dunfermline.
The investigation – dubbed Operation Branchform – started in 2021.
A spokesperson for Ms Sturgeon stated she had organized to attend a police station the place she was arrested.
They stated in a press release: “Nicola Sturgeon has today, Sunday 11 June, by arrangement with Police Scotland, attended an interview where she was to be arrested and questioned in relation to Operation Branchform.
“Nicola has consistently said she would co-operate with the investigation if asked and continues to do so.”
Ms Sturgeon stood down as first minister in February.
An SNP spokesperson stated: “These issues are subject to a live police investigation.
“The SNP have been co-operating fully with this investigation and will continue to do so, however it is not appropriate to publicly address any issues while that investigation is ongoing.”
Under the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016, police can launch a suspect for additional investigation, however they are often re-arrested at a later date.